SDSU stadium petition signatures are verified

Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune

SAN DIEGO, January 16, 2018 | Friends of SDSU steering committee member Fred Pierce speaks before he and other supporters submit boxes of more than 106,000 signatures at the San Diego County Registrar of Voters.

SAN DIEGO, January 16, 2018 | Friends of SDSU steering committee member Fred Pierce speaks before he and other supporters submit boxes of more than 106,000 signatures at the San Diego County Registrar of Voters. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune)

The university wants to build a new Aztecs football stadium at the former Chargers arena site, in addition to putting new classrooms, offices and housing on the city-owned land.

“We are incredibly proud that the city clerk has cleared the way for SDSU West to be placed before voters this year,” said Friends of SDSU steering committee member Fred Pierce in a released statement.

“This important milestone moves us one step closer to making SDSU West a reality for San Diego State University and our city as a whole.”

In total, the SDSU Mission Valley proposal would add 4,500 housing units, 1.6 million square feet of office space, 95,000 square feet of stores, two hotels and 85 to 90 acres of parks.

The state university calls it the perfect opportunity to expand its landlocked main campus to a nearby site that’s connected by the trolley line.

“This initiative unlocks the university’s potential for continued growth,” said Councilwoman Barbara Bry, who is advocating for the SDSU plan.

“Investments in education pay high dividends for our community. … It is critical we continue to grow this powerful economic engine.”

The SoccerCity proposal qualified for the ballot last year after a whirlwind, 12-day effort.

The SoccerCity proposal is backed by a group of La Jolla investors who want to bring a Major League Soccer franchise to the city. They would build a 22,500- to 33,500-capacity sports stadium, plus offices, housing, hotels, retail and parks.

SoccerCity is proposing more retail and office space, but otherwise the proposals look somewhat similar — though both sides say there are important distinctions.

"We are looking forward to a healthy debate in the months leading up to November,” said SoccerCity spokesman Nick Stone, in an emailed statement Thursday.

“After all is said and done, we believe voters will choose SoccerCity, which offers something for every San Diegan, including plenty of room for SDSU to grow, a sports and entertainment district, and a massive river park, which will be built and maintained without a dime of taxpayer money, unlike the developer-written SDSU West proposal.”

The two sides were initially working together until SDSU decided to go with its own proposal. The competition is shaping up to be a contentious battle for the ballot box.

The initiative that gets the most votes will prevail.

If neither gets 50 percent of voters’ approval, both would fail — and the city would likely go back to the drawing board on how to redevelop the former Chargers site.

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Hundreds of San Diego hotel workers marched in downtown San Diego to pressure Marriott hotels to improve pay and working conditions for low wage workers.

Hundreds of San Diego hotel workers marched in downtown San Diego to pressure Marriott hotels to improve pay and working conditions for low wage workers.

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Hundreds of San Diego hotel workers marched in downtown San Diego to pressure Marriott hotels to improve pay and working conditions for low wage workers.

Hundreds of San Diego hotel workers marched in downtown San Diego to pressure Marriott hotels to improve pay and working conditions for low wage workers.

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The Supreme Court on Monday struck down a federal law that bars gambling on football, basketball, baseball and other sports in most states, giving states the go-ahead to legalize betting on sports.

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Viasat is a global communications company working to connect the unconnected throughout the world. As part of our mission, we're bringing low-cost, high-speed satellite internet to rural towns throughout Mexico. We believe that everyone, everywhere deserves the opportunity to add their voice to the global conversation. (Courtesy of Viasat)

Viasat is a global communications company working to connect the unconnected throughout the world. As part of our mission, we're bringing low-cost, high-speed satellite internet to rural towns throughout Mexico. We believe that everyone, everywhere deserves the opportunity to add their voice to the global conversation. (Courtesy of Viasat)

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San Diego has agreed to sell 16 lots in Nestor for $1 each, in the pursuit of affordable housing. The nonprofit San Diego Community Land Trust plans to build three and four-bedroom homes there for people with moderate incomes. That means a family of five with an income of up to $102,750.

San Diego has agreed to sell 16 lots in Nestor for $1 each, in the pursuit of affordable housing. The nonprofit San Diego Community Land Trust plans to build three and four-bedroom homes there for people with moderate incomes. That means a family of five with an income of up to $102,750.

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Toys R Us still sells about 20% of the toys bought in the U.S., according to an analyst at Jefferies LLC.

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